What engine did a Dakota RT have in it?
The Dakota R/T was powered by Dodge’s 5.9-liter Magnum V8 (360 cubic inches), delivering roughly 250 horsepower and about 345 lb-ft of torque. This engine gave the midsize pickup a genuine performance edge for its era.
Engine details
To understand the Dakota R/T’s powerplant, it helps to look at the core specifications that defined the 5.9-liter Magnum V8 used in this model:
- Displacement: 5.9 liters (360 cubic inches)
- Engine family: Magnum (LA) pushrod V8
- Configuration: OHV, V8 with two valves per cylinder
- Fuel system: Electronic multi-point fuel injection (MPFI)
- Power output: Approximately 250 horsepower
- Torque: Approximately 345 lb-ft
- Transmission pairing: Typically matched with a four-speed automatic transmission
These characteristics made the Dakota R/T a notable outlier among midsize pickups, blending truck practicality with a more muscular V8 under the hood.
Context and impact
The Dakota R/T variant, introduced for the mid-2000s generation, used the 5.9L Magnum V8 to provide performance-oriented acceleration and a stronger towing/haul capability relative to non-R/T Dakota trims. This engine choice connected the Dakota’s capabilities to the broader Dodge/Magnum V8 lineage found in other trucks of the era, offering a familiar powertrain that enthusiasts could recognize from larger Dodge Ram models as well.
In practice, the combination of the 5.9L V8 with the Dakota’s chassis gave the R/T a distinctive stance among street-oriented pickup options, pairing muscular torque with the nimble size of a midsize truck. While production was limited to a short window, the engine remains a defining element of the Dakota R/T’s identity.
Summary
In short, the Dakota R/T’s engine was the 5.9-liter Magnum V8 (360 cubic inches). This pushrod V8 delivered around 250 hp and 345 lb-ft of torque, typically paired with a four-speed automatic, and helped position the Dakota R/T as a capable performance-oriented midsize pickup during its brief run in the mid-2000s.
How much horsepower does a 1998 Dodge Dakota RT have?
250 horsepower
It depends on your definition of underpowered. The 1998 Dakota ranges in power from the Short Bed with 175 horsepower to the R/T Pickup with 250 horsepower.
How much horsepower does a 1999 Dodge Dakota RT 5.9 have?
The 1999 Dodge Dakota R/T with the 5.9L V8 engine had 250 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 345 pound-feet of torque at 3,200 rpm. This engine was exclusively available in the R/T model and was paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.
You can watch this video for a review of the Dodge Dakota R/T's engine and performance: 1mDriven CompanionYouTube · May 28, 2020
- Horsepower: 250 hp @ 4,400 rpm
- Torque: 345 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm
- Engine: 5.9L Magnum V8
- Transmission: 4-speed automatic
How much horsepower does a 2000 Dodge Dakota RT 5.9 have?
Engine: 5.9-liter V-8; 250-hp; 345 lb-ft torque. EPA fuel economy: 12 mpg city/17 mpg highway.
What engine came in the Dakota RT?
5.9-liter V8
In the spring of 1998, a limited-edition R/T package was available as an option on the Dakota Sport model from 1998 to 2003. Available in 2WD, it included a 5.9-liter V8 which produced 250 hp (186 kW) at 4,400 rpm and 345 lb⋅ft (468 N⋅m) of torque at 3,200 rpm, mated to a 46RE four-speed automatic.
